New Delhi : Travelers who are fully vaccinated by taking both Covid vaccine shots may not required to show RT-PCR test reports for domestic flying, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri told news agency ANI. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its latest guideline for Covid-19 testing suggested that the provision of mandatory RT-PCR test for inter-state domestic travel can be completely removed. While the suggestion was to reduce the load on RT-PCR labs, which became overburdened with tests during April-May, which lengthened the waiting period, the minister told the news agency that it is under consideration of the ministry.
“A joint team from several ministries and stakeholders, including the health department, are in discussion to take a final decision on allowing travelling by air without an RT-PCR test for those who have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine,” the minister said.
India has recently overtaken the US in terms of the number of people who have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine. About 43 percent of the 60 plus population has been covered with at least one dose and about 37 percent of the 45 plus population has received one dose.
However, even if a negative RT-PCR report does not remain mandatory for flying, destination states may still want this as a mandatory provision. “Health is a state subject, and to ask passengers for a negative RT-PCR report before they enter a state is solely the right of that particular state,” Puri added.
